Copper oxidizing furnace



May 21, 1940' F. T. HAGUE COPPER OXIDIZING FURNACE l5 sheets-sheet 1 Filed Deo. 22, 1958 WITNESSES w. R 9 mH@ MT ld y m ATTORNEY May 21, 1940, y E n HAGUE www COPPER OXIDI ZING FURNACE ATTORN EY F. T. HAGUE COPPER OXIDIZING FURNCE Filed DSC. 22, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR F'Zgd Tf/agde.

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ATTORNEY Patented May 21,1940

` UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,201,580 COPPER .OXIDIZING FURNACE Pennsylvania Application December 22, 1938, Serial No. 247,199

16 Claims.

My invention, in its broader aspects, relates to a construction of, and details for, a furnace or apparatus having an interior chamber in which a charge is to be heat-treated while enveloped 5 by a continuously-suppliedv gaseous atmosphere, the atmosphere preferably having constituents which react with the charge. In a specific embodiment of my invention, a furnace is provided of reasonable size for the treatment on a commercial scale of batches of suitably-prepared copper blanks heated to approximately 10.25 U. while enveloped with a sufficiency of suitablyprepared air whereby to convert the surfaces of the blanks to red copper-oxide to the end that the blanks may ultimately be employed in rectiers of the dry copper-oxide type, this heat treatment being a step in a complete process for treating such blanks for use in rectiers as more fully disclosed and claimed in application, Serial No. 247,198, led April 1l, i939, jointly by Frank Conrad, Earl D. Wilson, Carl C. Eein and myself.

in general, because of its extremely low density, an exceptionally large relative volume of gas -is required to carry out reactions with solids and liquids, and this condition is aggravated when the reaction is carried out at high ternperatures and substantially normal pressures. To be commercially and economically practical, therefore, a furnace for carrying out the aforedescribed oxidizing step should not only be capable of heating a good-sized batch of copper blanks to the necessary temperature, but should also be capable of preheating the large volume of air necessary to satisfactorily oxidize the surfaces of the blanks of each batch. For this purpose, my invention provides a reasonably-sized furnace in which all space may be efficiently utilized and which is fully capable of handling and effectively preheating the requisite large volume of air, and with a suitable overabundance to secure proper and uniform oxidation of the exposed surfaces of each of the copper blanks.

To carry out the oxidation in the most effec- 47 tive manner, it is preferablev that the incoming air be preheated to a temperature substantially equal to. or even above that of the copper blanks, and to this end, the incoming air is tortuously piped, in the heating chamber of my novel furnace, along the side walls and across the bottom wall, and is then discharged at the bottom of the furnace through a large number of small holes which produce a turbulent flow of air for completely enveloping and contacting each blank of 57 the batch being processed. For maximum ef- (o1. 13u20) j ciency the pipes occupy the entire available area on the side and bottom walls of the furnace, and are positioned in close heat-exchange relation with the heating elements therein.

The pipe assembly is of heat resistant metal but, at an operating temperature of approximately l000 C., it may be desirable to provide supporting means for the pipes. Accordingly, i have provided a grid framework or rack having ribs or ledges which support the pipes, at least in part. This framework is further utilised to support the side heating units which are in the form of resistance elements, so that a compact arrangement of all the parts within the furnace results, and a relatively small-sized furnace, economical both from the viewpoint of initial cost and operating costs, suffices for large scale production of oxide-coated copper blanks.

in accordance with invention, l' supply outlet means 'for the large supply of air to the relatively small heat chamber, the outlet ineens taking the particular form of as many stacks as are necessary at the top of the furnace, and each equipped with an automatic damper balm anced to open with a very slight air pressure on the inside of the heat chamber, and to close as soon as the air supply to the heat chamber ceases, thus conserving the heat in the heating chamber. To further reduce the possibility of heat losses, the outlet passage or passages through the top-walls are made crooked so that radiant heat cannot iiow in a straight line through the passage. To reduce the temperature of the outgoing gases, and to decrease the operating expenses of the furnace, the output stacks are preferably constructed as part oi' heatexchangers which convert the heat of the outgoing gases to a useful purpose. The heat-erechanger may be employed'to partially preheat the incoming air, or the heat-exchanger may.

take the form of a water jacket.

Many other novel features, details, elements, combinations and objects of my invention will be apparent from the following description thereof taken in conjunction with the drawings,

in which like reference numerals designate like parts, and in which Figure l is a longitudinal sectional view of my novel furnace on a small scale;

Fig. 2 is atransverse sectional view of the furnace on the line II-II of Fig. 1;'

Fig. 3 is a top view of the top heater unit supporting-framework, there being two such up per frameworks in the furnace;

Figs. 4 and 5 are end and side views, respectively, of the top framework of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a. sectional view-of the top supportingframework along the line VI-VI of Fig.

5 Fig. 7 is a front side view of a supportingframework for the side heater units and the air preheating pipes, there being one such framework on eachY of the two sides of the furnace;

Fig. 8 is an end View of one of the side supporting-frameworks;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view on the line IX-IX'of Fig. '1;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged detail view showing the construction of one of the side heater-unit hanging' means for the side framework:

Fig. 11 is an elevational view of`a side supporting-framework with a heater unit in position thereon, and looking toward a side wall of 'the furnace, the air preheating pip'es being I) omitted;

Fig. 12 is an elevational view of a side supporting-framework with the air preheating pipes in position thereon, and looking toward the center of the furnace, the heater-units being omitted.

Fig. 13 is a top view of the side supporting framework with both the heater units and preheating pipes in position thereon;

Fig. 14 is a sectional view taken on the line XIV-XIV of Fig. 2 showing the bottom arrangement of the preheating pipes; and

l Fig. 15 is a sectional view of the line XV--XV of Fig. 2 showing a discharge end of the airpreheating pipes. V

- As is customary in the construction of furnaces, my furnace comprises a, bottom wall 2,

' side wallsrl and 6, end walls 8 and I l, and a top wall I2. The walls are, in general, built in accordance with usual practice and consist ofrefractory brick, defining the heating chamber I 4 d of the furnace, and suitable insulating brick, and

perhaps mineral wool, providing the necessary heat insulation at the outside portions of the furnace walls. A fabricated metallic shell I6 encases thebrickwork to make the furnace impervious to the leakage of gas.

'I'he end walls are formed with suitable openings I 8 and 20 for the purpose of permitting the Yinsertion and withdrawal of thecharges to be heat treated Vin the furnace, these openings being controlled by suitable closures in the form 0f doors 22 and 24. s

To facilitate the movement of the charge into and out of the furnace, rails 26 and 28 are provided, running the length of the furnace and supported upon a plurality of arch membersv ll of heat resistant metal, and each having downwardly-extending, spaced legs 32, Il and 38. The legs terminate in base plates 38 which are em- /bedded in the bottom wall 2' of the-furnace so w that a substantial and secure supporting means is provided for the rails 2i and '22. As lshown, the rails' ride in suitable grooves in the supporting members 30 and may also be almost'oo'mpletely embedded in the end walls I and Il at the es bottom" of the openings il andA 2l with only their top sliding faces protruding, all for the purpose of obtaining a rigidity of structure. Y 1n the particular furnace being described, the charges are preferably conveyed through the furnace by means of a' conveyor belt riding ina channel 40 supported by the arch members Il and the bottoms of the 'emrwalls l and l0 n the same manner as the rails 26 and".

I prefer to operate the furnace in such manner 15'l that the charge travels therethrough iihnislngle f direction. For example, a new charge or batch may be inserted through the opening Ii while the treated charge or batch in the furnace is removed through the opening 2l, vthe doors 22 and 24 being suitably operated to enable a rapid s removal of the treated charge and insertion of the untreated charge. However, it is obvious that a single opening may be employed for both the insertion andremoval of the charge if such be desired, furnaces of this character being well 10 known to the art.

To raise the temperature of the batch rapidly I provide heating units on the sides, top and bottom walls, these units being preferably in the form of resistance ribbons suitably shaped in acl5 cordance with common practice. The bottom heating unit is supported on a plurality of re- Iractory tile members 42 embedded in the bottom wall 2 of the furnace and projecting upwardly therefrom almost to the bottoms of the rails 2l $0 and 28, and the channel. The upper portions of the heater supporting tiles 42 are formed with teeth M to provide a comb effect within the slots of which lie the ribbon portions of the bottom heating unit. The heating unit is conventionally 25 formed, the ribbon being sinuously-shaped to iit in the diverse slots of the combs of the refractory tiers 42,'and preferably covering the available area at the bottom ofthe chamber I4', the sides of the convolutions of the heating unit being l0 properly spaced to clear the heat resistant, metallic arch members 30. 'I'he bottom heating unit terminates at each end in suitably-insulated terminals I8 and Ill for connection to asource of electrical energy. 85

It may be observed at this point that the refractory tiers I2 and the legs of the arch members 30 are so disposed as to provide lengthwiserunning spaces in which lie pipes. of an air-preheanng pipe system, the bottom heating unit ai being supported by the tiers 42 at a sufficient height above the bottom wall 2 to clear the pipe system as will be hereinafter described in greater detail.

The top heating unit comprising two portions, series connected and each sinuously-formed `with the individual ribbon sides resting in the slots f of comb tile B2 supported in suitable channels in two-top or upper frameworks, each indicated in their entirety by the reference numeral IG. I0

' Each. top framework is held in suspended posi- 'tion by means of suspension rods ll extending through apertures il at each ,corner of the framework and through suitable apertures in steel cross-members l2 resting on angles I4 welded or 55 otherwise secured to the side of the metallic shell I8. Appropriate nuts Il are screwed on each end of the supporting rods 5l to provide the necessary holding means for Imaintaining the framework in proper suspended position. 00

In Figs. 3, 4, Bland 6, a top framework is shown in greater detailggggand' it may be observed that each top framework l2 comprises three parallel channel-like members 1I, 12 and 1l arranged in u spaced relation, the heating unit supporting tile I2 being adapted to fit into these channels. In

' order to supply the necessarystrength to the top member, the center portions ofthe channels are deepened, as at 1l. and the inside of each chan- 7n nel is provided with upwardly-directed lugs 1I or auch height that their tops wm be substantiallyin astraightlinetoform arest for straightbottomed tues |52. v

y'mechanmnmnandummmmvxthn Kil iti

- In the specic embodiment described, the-two top frameworks extend laterally of the furnace (and by laterally I mean in a direction at rightangles to the direction of movement of the charge) so that the end portions t@ are in proximity to the side wallst. and t. Projecting laterally from the corners ci each framework are lugs which, in conjunction with the webs iii, form shoulders til for a purpose which will later liecorne apparent.

Power may be supplied to the top heating units any suitable manner, insulated leads and terminals il@ extending through the top wall for the purpose. I

At each side oi the heating chamber lll, a side irarneworli is provided and is shown in greater detail in Figs. il, 8 and 9. This supporting traineworir serves to support a side heating unit il@ portion oi one air preheating pipe system.

'lhe appurtenances at each side of the heating chamber ill, in my preierred construction, have the saine general principles of design, excepting only that one is designed for one side of the furnace and the other for the opposite side and, therefore, may be said to have lett and rightreiationship with respect to each other.

i the purpose oi brevity and simplicity, therea detailed construction oi the appurtenances at one side oi the -furnace will salice for an understanding oi rny invention.

side framework comprises an upper horizontal channel @il integral with spaced, verchannels and 'in order to proportion the load upon the vertical channel members and also to provide the necessary end spaces for the turns of the pipe system to be later described, the vertical channel members are disposed equally distant inwardly from the errtreine ends of the horizontal channel lill. A second integral horizontal channel ltlil entends substantially the length ci the framework and is disposed somewhat above the bottom of the vertical channels and Both horizontal channels are provided with a plurality of equallyapertures for 'the top channel and 93S lo he bottoni channel, the corresponding apertures of each channel being preferably vertically aligned.

hanging and positioning the side heating units, a hoolr member is disposed in each oi the and lill, and welded to the walls or side supporting framework about the aperture as shown in Fig. lll. The hook member has horizontally extending bar portion terminating in a hook itil which serves to lock a spacer or heat resistant insulating material. spacer itl@ has an elongated aperture il@ large enough to permit the space* to he passed over the hooi; litt and then dropped upon the portion of the hoolr member. ln this manner, the hook lilll maintains the spacer Mill in position upon the bar portion of the hooi;

member. The spacers tilt are so iorrned as to provide outside Ygrooves l l2 into which the upper turns oi the side heating unit @2 seat.

The vertical channels @t andilt are each projections extend a sufficient distance beyond end Webs H8 of the vertical channels to provide between any two adjacent ledges II6, the necessary concavities H into which the individual pipes of the pipe-system may be set.

lt may be observed that the side webs 1118 are discontinuous where the' vertical channels intersect the horizontal channel |00, and as afsubsttute within this area, vertical webs 622 are provided. The purpose of this construction is to assure that the webs im are disposed centrally between adjacent apertures 11M to prevent localized overstresses in the side framework. To provide a horizontal pipe-supporting ledge l2@ in this area, an additional integral web Q projects from each of the facing sides of the webs l2? terminating approximately at the periphery oi the interposed 'aperture lilfl, and extending beyond the webs lili and outwardly in the saine direction as the ledges lili, and for the saine distance. v

The side frame worlr is placed in position in the furnace with the ledges lill extending toward the side wall and in close proximity thereto. The side frameworlr'is provided with legs l2@ as part of each of the vertical channels, and these legs rest upon the bottom wall 2. An upper wch member i228 and. connecting member lit oi the upper horizontal channel @il form a corner which nests in shoulder in the top framework, and in this way the side framework is maintained by its own weight in lits position juxtaposed to the side wall. llt should he noted, however, that sircient clearance should be provided between the top corner of the side framework and the shoulder, il to permit oi? the necessary expansion and contraction oi the parts with changes of temperature.

The pipe system for preheating the air coinprlses assembly of pipes shown more particuc ly in Figs. l, 2, andv lll. flhe pine system lies essentially in two planes, one vertical bank which rests upon horizontal ledges of the side framework, and one horizontal bank which rests upon the lease wall. The pipe. system comprises a sinuous or tortuous assembly of pipes and bends wherel y the air to be supplied to the heating chamber made to flow through. a sufficiently long path in proximity to the heating units so that the is adequately preheated, and includes a vertical pipe i extending from an inlet through the topwall oi the furnace to an elbow to which is connected the sinuous assembly which comnrises a series of horizontal pipes lil@ joined at their ends by return bends to provide a continuous, elongated path for the flow' oi air along which it is preheated. many horizontal pipes as there are horizontallyaligned pairs of ledges il@ andld on a side framework in the specic embodiment shown. there are nine horizontal pines each resting on a oi? aligned ledges of the vertical channels and lill.

@ne of the intermediate return bends llll vis made larger than the others to nrovide awider spacing thereat between the two pines connected thereto for the purpose oi permitting a thermocouple to loe inserted between the pipes. the ledges upon which these latter pipes rest being suitably spaced to correspond.

Connected to the bottom pipe of the vertical bank of the pipe system is a bend lili which is angularly disposed and connects to the horizontal benl; of pipes which rests on the `bottom wall. In the bottom plane, the pipe-system continues There are as its sinuous form with the tiers 42 disposed within one of the convolutions of the system, and the end legs of the arch members disposed within an adjacent convolution, as more particularly shown in Fig. 14.

'I'he bottom bank of pipes of each side system covers approximately one-half of the available area at the bottom of the heating chamber and the end of the system is closed by a plug |44, the air discharging into the chamber through a series of small holes |46 in the end pipe |48. In order to assure that these discharge openings will not be closed if the pipe systemshould distort to an extreme extent where the end pipe |48 would abut the central tiers 42, spacing members |50 are welded to each extremity oi' the pipe |48 at the side adjacent the tiers. Np spacing members similar to I 50 are provided on the opposite side of the pipes |48 inasmuch asthe legs 32 and 36 of the arch member 30 will prevent excess displacement of the pipe |48, and since these leg members occupy but little space, contact between these parts cannot seriously inter- 'fere with the discharge of the-air from the side of the pipe toward the outer legs of the arch members 80. l

It may be observed that the discharge openings for the pipe system are disposed substantially centrally of the chamber and because of the number of small holes |46, the discharging air is well dispersed and will flow upwardly completely to envelope any charge resting on the rails 28 and 28.

In accordance with the primary use of my furnace, a large volume of gaseous atmosphere is necessary to provide the requisite amount of reacting constituents, and this usually requires that the fresh gaseous atmosphere be continuously supplied to the heating chamber while the atmosphere that has served its purpose flows out of the heating chamber. In the particular embodiment shown. the fresh air discharges into the heating chamber from the preheating pipes under a. slight pressure; and drives the expended atmosphere out through outlet passages |84 extending through the top walls, and leading to outlet stacks |88, the tops of which are covered l by dampers I 58 plvoted slightly beyond the center -moved from the furnace and 'new ones inserted,

it may be preferable to shut off the supply of air by any appropriate manual or automatic --means and during' thisprocess. closure of the dampers |88 prevents undue drafts as weil as loss of heat. `'Io further reduce lossl of heat by radiation, the plunges |84are preferably bent or otherwise twist'edto the end that radiant heat cannot find a straight-line path therethrough.-

. The side heating units are formed in the tomary manner for resistance ribbon'aeach in a sinuous form with the'turned ends on the upper sides resting 'in the channels |I2 ofthe spacers I88, the lower bends being disposed between two adjacent spacers. I prefer 'this construction to a construction in which the lower openings |84 of a side framework are alternately disposed with respect/to the upper openings |82. rather than aligned, as shown. AIn the former construction,

it is necessary to have a lower bend go around a bottom spacer, whereas vin the preferred construction the lower bends are maintained in position between two adjacent spacers. Since the bendsmay tend to flatten out during the heating processes, two adjacent ribbons cannot short in my preferred construction whereas in the alternative construction, such shorting sometimes occurs, particularly where the bends are sharp and the spacing of the ribbons small to provide the necessary length of resistance ribbon for the available space. The side heating units end at at terminals |88 to which a source of electrical energy can be connected for supplying power to the unit; Y

As further adjuncts to the furnace, a peep hole I 80 extends through a side wall, for example wall 8, and terminates in the extra wide space betweenv the pipes connected to the bend |48, and 'a correspondingly extra wide space deliberately formed in the side resisting unit. 82, for permitting an unobstructed view of the interior of the furnace. In the same way thermocouple passages I82 in the side wall 8, or |84 in the top wall I2, terminate opposite the similarly formed wide-spaces in the vertical bank of the pipe system, and the side heating unit 82 or between the two top frameworks, so that a more accurate temperature reading of the actuar conditions in the heating chamber I4 may be obtained.

For regulating the heating ofmy furnace, I prefer to provide a two-zone control wherein the side heating units are controlled automatically by a thermocouple that may be-disposed in the passage |82 and the top unit heating units are 'controlled by a second. thermocouple disposed in the passage |84. The bottom heating units may be madev to operate with either the side or top units whichever may be found to yield the better results in actual operation. Y

In operation of the furnace, electrical energy is supplied to the heating units to raise the temperature of the heating chamber I4 to the proper value.l The air to be preheated is conveyed under pressure to theinlet |82 from whence it flows generally downward through the sinuous vertical banks of the two side pipe-systems, then through the horizontal banks of the-systems and is discharged at the central portion ofthe furnace i through the openings |48 in the end pipes |48. Two air inlets |82 may be provided for each of the side pipe systems or, if desired, a branch connecting pipemayrunfromtheinlet |82 tothe side pipe system' not directly connected thereto.

After enveloping whatever charge may be in the u heat' chamber I4 and contacting therewith to an appreciable extent, the atmosphere flows out through the passages |84 and pipe |88, thepressurelof the air being s'uicient to raise the dampers 88.` v

Inasmuch as the heating chamber is operated at a relatively high temperature in the neighborhood of 1000 C. it is desirable, for the sake of efficlency, to recover as much heat from the outiiowing atmosphere as possible, and to this end 'heat-exchange jackets |88 are constructed about the outlet pipes Ils, mese Jackets having met and outlet pipes |88. The construction of the pipe |88 and the jacket |88 is a matter of choice and may follow the usual` principles by which an emcient heat exchange is eii'ect'ed between the fluids owing' therein. If desired, these jackets may be supplied with cold water for the purpose of absorbing the heat of the outflowing gases, or

preferably the incoming su to the inlet in may u be rst passed through these jackets to absorb whatever heat they can from the outflowing atmosphere. v

In accordance with the foregoing, I have pro- 5 vided a furnace under which the side and bottom walls are covered substantially for their entire area with heating units so that a high temperature can be created in a relatively small heating chamber. Moreover, the air preheating pipes ab@ are in close proximity to theheating units so as to rapidly absorb heat. By providing a sinuous path within the chamber itself, l am able to preheat a large volume of gaseous atmosphere to a temperature approximating that at which the charge is to be heat treated, although it is oba viouu that the degree ci prehea't can be controlled controlling the volume oi air ldowing through the pipe system or by shortening the path through which it flows by decreasing the number of convolutions in the pipe system. However, ll preier to raise the temperature oi the incoming air to a value equal to or somewhere above the value the charge is to attain so that the charge may be quickly brought up to its temperature by a combination oi? radiant heat from the heat units and convection irom arid contact with the preheated air.

the specific process oi iidiziug the suriaces oi copper blanks, it is preerable to carry out the reaction oi the oxygen in the preheated with the copper in the blaulrs at as high a temperature as possible. By preheating the air, as 'l do in this furnace, to the temperature at which the reaction takes place'most eiciently,

has been :iourld that the most satisfactory reare obtained, as more fully explained in hereinbeiore-mentioned application. While ll have illustrated my invention irl the to which l now believe to be the best mode of o ap lisation thereof, it is obvious that many changes may be made within the spirit and scope oi the priiiciples thereof. 'that the appended claims he given the broadest construction, and limited only by the prior art.

" claim as my invention:

ln a iuruace oi the type iii which a charge to lee heat-treated while euvelopedby a copious Si te g chamber, said pipe system being interposed bethe lastsaid-wall and said heating means. l

For au electric furnace oi the type deun and having a heating chamber, a supporting framework. iu said chamber, heating Ci' means lor said chamber, mearis to support said heating means on said framework on one side oiseid framework, gaseous atmosphere-preheating, pipe means, and means to support said pipe means on said framework ou the opposite side ot said irameworh,

3. For an electric furnace oi the type described, a supporting framework comprising horizontal and vertical members, an electric heating unit, means cooperating with .a said horizontal member i5 for supporting said heating unit, a gas-preheatlt is desired, therefore,

ing pipe means, and means cooperating with said vertical member for supporting said pipe means.

4. For an electric furnace of the type described, a vertical, heat-resistant, metallic, open gridwork, heating means, means for supporting said heato ing means on said gridwork at one side thereof, gas-preheating pipe means, and means for supporting said pipe means on said gridwcrk at the other side thereof.

5. For a supporting heating means and a gasl@ preheating pipe system in an electrical furnace, a framework oi metal, and comprising spaced horizontal members and spaced vertical members, said horizontal members having means lor supporting heating means at one side thereof, it? said vertical members being formed at the side opposite said one side with spaced substantially horizontal pipesupporting ribs, said horizontal members having integral therewith reinforcing webs.

6. in a furnace oi the type iu which a charge is to be heat-treated while enveloped by a gaseous atmosphere, a top, bottom, side and end Walls defining a heat-treatment chamber, a gaseous atmosphere inlet to said chamber, a pipe system 2li from said inlet, and comprising a s'iuuous arlraugement oi pipes substantially irl two planes, a framework disposed along a wall oi said cham" ber, means lor supporting the pipes oi one plane on said framework, the pipes oi said other plane t@ supported on said bottom wall, and heating means lor said chamber disposed adjacent said pipes ou the side away trom the last said wall.

7. lio. a iurriace of the type in which a charge is to be heat-treated while enveloped by a gaseous dll atmosphere, a top, bottom, side and end walls deiriirig a heat-treatment chamber, a gaseous at-i mosphere inlet to Isaid chamber, a pipe system trom inlet, and comprising a sinuous ar-n rangement oi pipes substantially in two planes, a Mt irameworlf. disposed along a wall o said chamber, means lor supporting the pipes of one plane on said framework, the pipes oi' said other plane supported ou said bottom wall, small discharge openings irl ari end branch oi last said pipes whereby gaseous atmosphere 'dowiug through .said pipe will be preheated aud dispersed through said chamber and heating means ior said chamber disposed adjacent said pipes on the side away from the last said wall.

il. irl a tiuhace ci the type iu which a charge is to be heatwtreated while enveloped by a gaseous atmosphere, walls, including a top, a bottom, and side walls, defining a heat-'treatment chamber, a top grid-dise framework suspended 'ii-om said top a griddilre side framework resting oo said bottom wall, and in proximity and substann tially parallel to a side wall, the two said trameEA worlrs having cooperating means at their prozrlI mate edges lor maintaining the said side iramet@ worir iii position, the last said framework having pipe-supporting means extending toward last said side wall, and a gaseous atmosphere preheats ing pipe system comprising pipes supported ou said supporting means.

e. The structure of claim il wherein said sup= porting means comprises' substantially horizontal ledges extending substantially to last said side wall, and said pipe system including horizontal pipes resting on said ledges. 7@

lo. .a furnace comprising walls derling a heat treatment chamber, a horizontal member of heat resistant metal in said chamber, said member having spaced apertures lengthwise thereof, hanger elements in each of said apertures, each 75 said element comprising a metallic bar extending into a corresponding aperture and secured in position on said member with a projecting portion, a hook at the end of said portion, an insulator' for each said projecting portionfhaving a hole suillciently large to pass over said head and then drop on said projecting portion, and electricv heating means supported by said insulators out of contact with said member and bars.

11. In a furnace of the type in which a charge is to be heat-treated while enveloped by a copious supply of a gaseous atmosphere, a heating chamber comprised of a side wall and bottom wall, a gaseous atmosphere .inlet to said chamber, a sinuous pipe system extending from said inlet, said sinuous pipe system being in said chamber adjacent the entire available area of said side wall,

and having a portion supported by said bottom wall, said last portion having discharge holes through which the atmosphere discharges into the chamber, and heating means close to the sid'e of said pipes away from said side wall, and cover-- ing a substantial area thereof, and common means for supporting said heating means and pipe system. 12. The structure of claim A11 withl additional heating means immediately above said portiongof said pipe system. Y A

13. In a heat-treatment furnace, a heating chamber comprised of a bottom wall, spaced vertical refractory tiles embedded in said wall andextending upward therefrom, heating means sup- I ported on the upper portions of'said tiles,a sinuous pipe system having pipes in the spaces beiengths :mav s disposed that the convonmons o1.' said pipe system are continuous, said pipe system having discharge openings for discharging gaseous atmosphere into said chamber.

14. The structure oi' claim 13 wherein said openings are below said heating means and centrally of the chamber, and charge supporting means above said heating means.

15. An electric furnace vcomprising walls' de-f fining a heat-treatment chamber, having'means for supporting a charge to be heat-treatedin said chamber,'heating means for,l heating said charge comprising heater-units `disposed along one of said walls and supports for supporting said heater-units in spaced relation to said one wall, means to convey gas to said furnace to be dislcharged in said chamber and about said charge,

the last said means including pipes through which the gas passes, said pipes being disposed in the space between -said heater units and said one wall,-

said supports being open so that said pipes have substantial portions fthereof directlyexposed to the said heater-units.

16. In a furnace of the type in whichl a charge is to be heat-treated while enveloped by a copious supply of a gaseous `atmosphere, said furnace comprising -walls dening a heat-treatment chamber, an open framework inside said chamber substantially parallel to and in 'proximity to one of said walls, heating means for heating said chamber, supported on said framework on the side'of saidiramework away'from thevlast said wall, and a 'compact gas-preheatingpipe lsystem between said framework and the'last'said wall whereby said pipe system is interposed between the said heatingnieans and the last said wall, tween said tiles, the said tiles being of such" and absorbs heat from said `heating means.

V 'r.` BAGUE. 

